Texas Trees

A few of the most important things to consider when planting a tree in Texas are when and where to plant, as well as what type of tree to choose. Here it is best to plant trees in late fall or early winter. This provides trees with the best chance to forge strong roots before the, often brutal, summer heat. That is why the first Friday of November was chosen to be Texas Arbor Day. Below you will find information about where you should plant a tree and how it can save you in the long run, along with lists of trees that thrive in the Texas climate.

Do’s and Don’ts of Planting to Get the Most Value from Trees

Do:

Plant deciduous trees on the west side of a house to provide cooling shade in the summer and warming daylight in the winter they lose their leaves.

Plant evergreens on the north side of your home to block icy winter winds.

Think about the tree’s full-grown size and shape before you dig.

Don’t:

Plant below power lines. Falling trees and branches can cause power outages.

Plant too close to your home’s foundation. Roots can damage the foundation or block sewer lines.

The wrong tree in the wrong place could actually lower your home’s appraised value if it’s deemed hazardous, says Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston.

The Financial Benefit of Trees

The most tangible bang from your bark comes from energy savings. Trees properly placed around your home can reduce your air conditioning needs by 30% and save 20% to 50% in heating costs, according to the USDA Forest Service. The U.S. Department of Energy says three properly placed trees could save you $100 to $250 a year.

Plus, says the Forest Service, healthy, mature trees add an average of 10% to your home’s value.
How much value does a single tree typically add to your home? According to the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service in Indiana, a 15¾-foot-wide silver maple in good health could be worth $2,562.

More mature, healthy trees can add even more value. For example, trees added an average of $8,870 to a home’s sale price in Portland, and decreased its time on the market by two days, according to a 2010 Forest Service study.